As Star Trek has been enjoying a renaissance, with new television series coming to Paramount+ and a planned feature film in the works, one longtime franchise star is open to reprising her iconic role: Gates McFadden.
Starring as Starfleet medical officer Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent feature films, McFadden's clinical expertise was essential in keeping the crew of the Enterprise alive. Now, as members of The Next Generation reunite on Star Trek: Picard, McFadden hopes that a potential return for Crusher is more morally gray and complex to better reflect current events.
"It's a great role and I would also be open to doing a role where she's not ethical and it's a different kind of character. I think it's really become a more inclusive universe now and I really like where things are going," McFadden tells CBR. "And there are so many things that really affect people. So many great, new role models and humor and ways of trying to grapple through with the present. We have gone through a tough time here and the world just keeps getting more and more complex because there are so many more of us and we're aware of things going on in Gaza in a way my great-grandparents weren't."
McFadden last portrayed Crusher in an official capacity in 2002's Star Trek: Nemesis as the Enterprise was caught in the middle of a Romulan civil war. Since then, McFadden has warmed up to the power and influence Star Trek and her role as Crusher played to millions worldwide and continues to enjoy the company of her Next Generation castmates.
"I think I've really come to embrace the whole Star Trek world in a way that escaped me when I was doing it. I really didn't understand its power. I do now and I really want to honor it," McFadden continued. "Whether I'm asked to or not, that's fine: I'd love to but I also understand you can't have everybody there all the time. I'm really happy that their casting is still phenomenal. They keep casting pretty amazing people because we all tend to get along. We see each other at cons and on cruise ships and we have fun together, which is pretty special."
Hosted by Gates McFadden, InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are? releases new episodes Wednesdays on major podcast streaming platforms.